Ghana's President Akufo-Addo has exercised his constitutional prerogative of mercy to grant pardons to 11 convicts.
William Ato Essien, founder of the defunct Capital Bank was among those whose convictions were pardoned.
Mr. Essien, sentenced to 15 years in prison by an Accra High Court in October 2023, was found guilty of misusing over GH¢90 million of Bank of Ghana’s funds allocated to his bank. His sentence came after failing to repay the full amount, despite being given the opportunity to do so.
The pardon comes after Mr. Essien served one year of his sentence and is reportedly battling severe health issues, including life-threatening conditions that required multiple surgeries.
Among the other pardoned individuals is Philip Assibit, who was serving a 12-year sentence related to the GYEEDA scandal.
Attached below is an except from a letter the President sent to the Council of State for advice in accordance with Article 72(1) to pardon certain convicted persons
The President of the Republic wishes to exercise his prerogative of mercy, in accordance with Article 72 (1) of the Constitution, to pardon certain convicted persons. The persons in respect of whom the President wishes to exercise this discretion are as follows:
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Akwasi Alhassan - He was convicted of murder and sentenced to death on 19t March, 1993. He has been in prison since then (31 years). He is now serving life imprisonment per presidential order.
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Beatrice Ofori - She was convicted of human trafficking on 6 June, 2023 for 8 years with hard labour. She is currently 64 years old and is seriously hypertensive. This has affected both legs, leading to her inability to move freely. She spends most of her time in the prison infirmary.
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William Ato Essien - He was convicted for his role in the collapse of Capital Bank and sentenced to pay GHS90million. He defaulted after paying part of the money. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison in December 2023. He is suffering from severe life-threatening medical conditions and has undergone multiple surgeries as a result.
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Frank Obeng - He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 40 years in prison. He is currently serving his sentence in Nsawam Prison. His sentence is proposed to be reduced from 40 to 12 years.
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Stephen Nyarko - He was convicted of conspiracy to rob and robbery in December 2010 and sentenced to 30 years. He has served 22 years in total, including time spent in remand.
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Philip Akpeena Assibit - He was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2018 for willfully causing financial loss to the State related to his role at the National Youth Employment Programme. He has served 6 years in prison, He has pleaded to be released on the grounds of ill health.
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Osman Inusah - He was convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery even though he was found not guilty of armed robbery. A petition submitted on his behalf states that he has mental health challenges, which need to be treated and managed at home.
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Joseph Nana Kwaku Boateng - He was convicted for attempted export and possession of narcotic substance on 28 th May, 2019 and sentenced to 15 years. He has served 8 years in total including five spent in remand.
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Emmanuel Adu Mensah - He was convicted of possession of narcotics and sentenced to a prison term of 15 years in April 2024. He is currently serving his prison term in Nsawam Prison.
